Lift mechanism for wheelchairs in vehicles

ABSTRACT

This disclosure provides a system that combines together a wheelchair ramp and lift. The system starts inside the vehicle interior so that the ramp, when deployed, only protrudes several inches from the edge of the vehicle rather than several feet. This increases flexibility in the entry and egress of a wheelchair to and from a vehicle.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/052,280, entitled, “Lift Mechanism for Wheelchairs in Vehicles,”filed on Feb. 24, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,010,461) which claimedpriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/120,454,entitled, “Lift Mechanism for Wheelchairs in Vehicles” filed on Feb. 25,2015. The subject matter disclosed in those applications are herebyexpressly incorporated into the present application in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to wheelchair ramps and liftingapparatuses. In particular, this disclosure relates to a combinedwheelchair ramp and lift, which protrudes out of a cabin opening. Theuser will roll onto the ramp and stay there while the lifting mechanismlifts the wheelchair and the ramp up into the vehicle.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

There have been numerous vehicles modified over the years to allowwheelchair users the ability to enter or egress from them. Most commontypes will use a foldout ramp or a lifting apparatus to perform thistask. Nearly all modified vehicles also need to have the floor lowered,or the ceiling raised, to allow adequate height for an individual in awheelchair enough vertical room to maneuver inside the vehicle. One ofthe most common modified vehicles is a minivan.

One difficulty with existing ramp systems is that when the ramp deploys,it protrudes out from the door opening several feet from the vehicle,thereby requiring an exceptionally large parking area to be used. Inmany cases, the result is that a normal-sized parking space cannot beused and the wheelchair user must be picked up at a curb where there issufficient space for the ramp to deploy. This reduces flexibility in theentry and egress of a wheelchair to and from a vehicle. Therefore, thereis a need for a novel system that allows more flexible entry and egressof wheelchairs from vehicles.

According to one aspect, this disclosure provides a system that combinestogether a wheelchair ramp and lift. The system starts inside thevehicle interior so that the ramp, when deployed, only protrudes severalinches from the edge of the vehicle rather than feet. This increasesflexibility in the entry and egress of a wheelchair to and from avehicle.

In one illustrative embodiment, this disclosure provides a vehiclehaving a wheelchair ramp and lift system. The vehicle includes a vehiclebody including a vehicle floor and a vehicle cabin accessible by anopening. The ramp extension is movable between a stowed position inwhich the ramp extension is positioned within the vehicle cabin and anextended position in which the ramp extension extends out of the vehiclecabin through the opening. The vehicle also includes a ramp/liftassembly adjacent the opening in the vehicle cabin. The ramp/liftassembly includes a ramp surface movable between a ramped position inwhich the ramp surface defines an inclined plane between the vehiclefloor and the ramp extension and a non-ramped position in which the rampsurface is substantially flush with the vehicle floor. A lift actuatoris also provided that is configured to move the ramp/lift assemblybetween the ramped position and the non-ramped position. The liftactuator has a lifting capacity configured to move the ramp surface tothe non-ramped position under a weight of a wheelchair and wheelchairuser. For example, the lifting capacity of the lift actuator could be inexcess of 750 pounds. In some embodiments, the ramp surface of theramp/lift assembly is positioned entirely within the vehicle cabinbetween the ramped position and the non-ramped position. Embodiments arecontemplated in which the ramp/lift assembly includes a top defined bythe ramp surface and a bottom defining an underbody of the vehicle. Insome cases, the ramped surface is dimensioned to support an entirewheelchair.

In some embodiments, the vehicle body includes a driver wall and apassenger wall and the vehicle floor has a width that extends betweenthe driver wall and the passenger wall. The ramp surface could have awidth that extends between the driver wall and the passenger wall morethan approximately half the width of the vehicle floor. For example, thewidth of the ramp surface could be approximately 70% of the width of thevehicle floor.

Depending on the particular circumstances, the ramp extension could besized to extend out of the vehicle cabin approximately one foot in theextended position. In some cases, the ramp extension extendsapproximately transversely with respect to the vehicle floor in thestowed position. For example, a linkage assembly could be provided thatis configured to move the ramp extension between the stowed position andthe extended position responsive to movement of the ramp/lift assemblybetween the ramped position and the non-ramped position. In someembodiments, the linkage assembly includes a linkage arm fixedlyattached to the ramp extension. For example, the linkage assembly couldinclude a ramp link with a first portion pivotally attached to thelinkage arm and a second portion pivotally attached to the vehicle body.In some cases, the ramp/lift assembly is connected to the ramp extensionwith a hinge. For example, the ramp extension is configured to movebetween the extended position and stowed position by rotating about thehinge.

According to another aspect, this disclosure provides a vehicle having awheelchair ramp and lift system. The vehicle includes a vehicle bodyhaving a vehicle floor and a vehicle cabin accessible by an opening. Aramp extension is provided that is movable between a stowed position inwhich the ramp extension is positioned within the vehicle cabin and anextended position in which the ramp extension extends out of the vehiclecabin through the opening. The ramp extension extends out of the vehiclecabin approximately one foot in the extended position. The vehicleincludes a ramp/lift assembly adjacent the opening in the vehicle cabin.The ramp/lift assembly includes a ramp surface movable between a rampedposition in which the ramp surface defines an inclined plane between thevehicle floor and the ramp extension and a non-ramped position in whichthe ramp surface is substantially flush with the vehicle floor. The rampsurface of the ramp/lift assembly is positioned entirely within thevehicle cabin between the ramped position and the non-ramped position. Alift actuator is configured to move the ramp/lift assembly between theramped position and the non-ramped position. In some embodiments, thelift actuator has a lifting capacity in excess of 750 pounds.

According to a yet another aspect, this disclosure provides a method ofdeploying a ramp/lift assembly to provide a transition surface between avehicle floor in a cabin of a vehicle and an alighting surface. Themethod includes the step of rotating a ramp extension with respect tothe vehicle floor to an extended position in which the ramp extensionextends out of the cabin of the vehicle. At least a portion of aramp/lift assembly is lowered from a non-ramped position flush with thevehicle floor to a ramped position in which at least a portion of theramp/lift assembly defines an inclined plane between the vehicle floorand the ramp extension. Accordingly, the ramp/lift assembly and rampextension together form a transition surface between the vehicle floorand an alighting surface. Typically, the ramp extension extendsapproximately one foot outside the cabin of the vehicle in the extendedposition and the ramp/lift assembly is positioned entirely within thecabin of the vehicle between the ramped position and the non-rampedposition. In some embodiments, the method includes lifting the ramp/liftassembly from the ramped position to the non-ramped position with alifting capacity sufficient to lift a wheelchair and wheelchair user,such as a lifting capacity in excess of 750 pounds. Depending on thecircumstances, the ramp extension could be rotated from the extendedposition to a stowed position in which the ramp extension is positionedwithin the cabin of the vehicle. For example, the ramp extension couldbe in a substantially vertical orientation in the stowed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be described hereafter with reference to theattached drawings which are given as non-limiting examples only, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a right perspective view of a vehicle showing a framestructure with the sheet metal decking and sides removed for claritywith an example ramp/lift system in the deployed position according toan embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a right perspective illustration of the vehicle shown in FIG.1 with the ramp/lift system in the stowed position.

FIG. 3 is a right perspective view of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 wherea portion of the frame has been removed to show the cylinder locationmore clearly.

FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the ramp/lift system shown inFIG. 1 showing an example ramp extension linkage assembly used in anembodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example ramp extension linkageassembly according to another embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a vehicle showing the ramp/liftsystem in a ramped position.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The components in the figures are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingthe principals of the invention. The exemplification set out hereinillustrates embodiments of the invention, and such exemplification isnot to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in anymanner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures and descriptions provided herein may have been simplified toillustrate aspects that are relevant for a clear understanding of theherein described devices, systems, and methods, while eliminating, forthe purpose of clarity, other aspects that may be found in typicaldevices, systems, and methods. Those of ordinary skill may recognizethat other elements and/or operations may be desirable and/or necessaryto implement the devices, systems, and methods described herein. Becausesuch elements and operations are well known in the art, and because theydo not facilitate a better understanding of the present disclosure, adiscussion of such elements and operations may not be provided herein.However, the present disclosure is deemed to inherently include all suchelements, variations, and modifications to the described aspects thatwould be known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

This disclosure allows an individual in a wheelchair access to avehicle, but does it in a unique and advantageous way. This disclosurecombines a ramp and lift together, starting well inside the vehicle'sinterior, so that the ramp, when deployed, only protrudes several inchesfrom the edge of the vehicle rather than several feet. The user willroll onto the ramp and stay there while the lifting mechanism lifts thewheelchair and the ramp up into the vehicle. This description willpertain to using this invention on a sport utility vehicle (“SUV”), suchas a Chevy Traverse; however, it can be applied to numerous vehicles,such as minivans, etc.

FIG. 1 shows a vehicle with a frame structure 1 having the sheet metaldecking and sides removed for clarity (driver side wall 44 and passengerside wall 41 shown in FIG. 6). The vehicle includes a floor 13 and avehicle cabin 14 accessible through an opening 15. Although the opening15 is shown on the left side of the vehicle in this example, one skilledin the art should appreciate that the opening 15 could be on the rightside and/or right side of the vehicle. This assembly is shown in thisexample to be aligned with the rear driver's side door 42, but it couldbe placed in other locations as well, including aligned with the rearpassenger side door 40 (see FIG. 6). As shown, the floor 13 has beenlowered from its original height to make the vehicle cabin 14 moreeasily accessible with a wheelchair. The frame 1 is shown using largerstructural members around the opening of the ramp. These are designed tocreate adequate structure in the vehicle to replace the strength lostwhen this section is removed. There are numerous ways to create thisstructure that should be known to those skilled in the art. The originaldoor (see FIG. 6) can be operated manually or powered. It can be done ina conventional manner or converted to a gull wing type door, dependingon user preference.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a ramp/lift assembly 2 is positionedadjacent the opening 15 in the vehicle cabin 14. The ramp/lift assembly2 includes a ramp surface movable between a ramped position (FIG. 1) andnon-ramped position (FIG. 2). In the ramped position, the ramp surfacedefines an inclined plane between the vehicle floor 13 and a rampextension 3. In the non-ramped position, the ramp surface issubstantially flush with the vehicle floor. The ramp/lift assembly 2also acts as a lifting mechanism to lift a wheelchair and move the rampextension 3 to its stowed position.

As shown, the ramp extension 3 is pivotally connected to an end of theramp/lift assembly 2 with hinges 4. The ramp extension 3 rotates betweenan extended or deployed position (FIG. 1) and a stowed position (FIG. 2)via a lift actuator (discussed below). The hinges 4 allow the ramp/liftassembly 2 and the ramp extension 3 to move relative to the frame 1 andeach other. Although a certain type of hinge is shown in the figures forpurposes of example, one skilled in the art should appreciate thatnumerous existing hinging devices could be used.

A linkage assembly 5 forces the ramp extension 3 to fold when it ismoved to its stowed position. This also allows the ramp extension 3 toprotect the wheelchair from rolling off the ramp/lift assembly 2 as thelift feature is activated. In the embodiment shown, the linkage assembly5 includes a linkage arm 11 and a ramp link 12. The linkage arm 11, asshown, is fixably attached to the ramp extension 3. The ramp link 12 hasa first end pivotally attached to the linkage arm 11 and a second endpivotally attached to the frame (1). As the ramp/lift assembly 2 israised, the linkage assembly 5 causes the ramp extension 3 toautomatically swing upward into its stowed position (as shown in FIG.2). A linkage assembly 20 according to another embodiment is shown inFIG. 5. The linkage assembly 20 moves the ramp extension 3 to the stowedposition responsive to movement of the ramp/lift assembly 2 to thenon-ramped position; conversely, the linkage assembly 20 moves the rampextension 3 to the extended position responsive to movement of theramp/lift assembly 2 to the ramped position. In the embodiment shown,the linkage assembly 20 includes a projection 22 that cams with a camsurface 24 of a camming member 26. As the ramp/lift assembly 2 movestowards the non-ramped position, the curvature of the cam surface 24camming on the projection 22 rotates the ramp extension 3 to the stowedposition; conversely, movement of the ramp/lift assembly 2 to the rampedposition causes the cam surface 24 to cam on the projection 22 to extendthe ramp extension 3. The camming member 26 includes a slot 28 thatreceives the projection 22 when the stowed position. The linkageassembly embodiments 5, 20 are shown for purposes of example, butnumerous types of linkages could be used to move the ramp extension 3between its extended and stowed positions.

The ramp/lift assembly 2 and ramp extension are moved using a liftactuator, which could be a hydraulic cylinder, electric actuator,pneumatic cylinder or other linear actuator. In the embodiment shown,the lift actuator comprises two lifting cylinders 16 (best seen in FIG.3). Item 6 shows the bottom of one of the two lifting cylinders 16. Thelifting cylinders 16 include an upper cylinder mount 7 and a lowercylinder mount 8.

FIG. 3 shows a portion of the frame 1 removed to show the cylinder 16location more clearly. As shown, the lifting cylinders 16 include acylinder rod 9 and a cylinder housing 10. FIG. 4 shows the detail of theramp extension linkage.

While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodimentsthereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and willherein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, thatthere is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure tothe particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the disclosure.

1. A combined wheelchair ramp and lift system for use with a sportutility vehicle (“SUV”) or a minivan, the system comprising: a rampextension movable between a stowed position in which the ramp extensionis positioned within a vehicle cabin of a sport utility vehicle (“SUV”)or a minivan and an extended position in which the ramp extensionextends out of an opening in the vehicle cabin; a ramp/lift assemblyadjacent the ramp extension, wherein the ramp/lift assembly includes aramp surface pivotal between a ramped position in which the ramp surfacedefines an inclined plane between a floor of the vehicle cabin and theramp extension and a non-ramped position in which the ramp surface issubstantially flush with the floor; a first hinge configured topivotally connect a first end of the ramp/lift assembly and the floor,wherein the first end of the ramp/lift assembly pivots about an axisextending substantially along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle cabin;a second hinge configured to pivotally connect a second end of theramp/lift assembly and the ramp extension, wherein the ramp extensionpivots about an axis that is substantially parallel but offset from theaxis about which the first end of the ramp/lift assembly pivots; and alift actuator configured to pivot the ramp/lift assembly between theramped position and the non-ramped position, wherein the lift actuatorhas a lifting capacity configured to move the ramp surface to thenon-ramped position under a weight of a wheelchair and wheelchair user.2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the lifting capacity of thelift actuator is in excess of 750 pounds.
 3. The system as recited inclaim 1, wherein the ramp surface of the ramp/lift assembly isconfigured to be positioned entirely within the vehicle cabin betweenthe ramped position and the non-ramped position.
 4. The system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the ramped surface is dimensioned to supportan entire wheelchair.
 5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein thewidth of the ramp surface is approximately 70% of the width of thefloor.
 6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the ramp extensionextends out of the vehicle cabin approximately one foot or less in theextended position.
 7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the rampextension extends approximately transversely with respect to the floorin the stowed position.
 8. The system as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising a linkage assembly configured to move the ramp extensionbetween the stowed position and the extended position responsive topivoting of the ramp/lift assembly between the ramped position and thenon-ramped position.
 9. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein thelinkage assembly includes a linkage arm fixably attached to the rampextension.
 10. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the linkageassembly includes a ramp link with a first portion pivotally attached tothe linkage arm and a second portion pivotally attachable to a vehiclebody.
 11. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the ramp extensionis configured to move between the extended position and stowed positionby rotating about the hinge.
 12. A combined wheelchair ramp and liftsystem for use with a sport utility vehicle (“SUV”) or a minivan, thesystem comprising: a ramp extension configured to pivot between a stowedposition in which the ramp extension is positioned within a vehiclecabin of a sport utility vehicle (“SUV”) or a minivan and an extendedposition in which the ramp extension extends out of an opening in thevehicle cabin; a ramp/lift assembly adjacent the ramp extension, whereinthe ramp/lift assembly includes a ramp surface pivotal between a rampedposition in which the ramp surface defines an inclined plane between afloor of the vehicle cabin and the ramp extension and a non-rampedposition in which the ramp surface is substantially flush with thefloor, wherein the ramp surface of the ramp/lift assembly is configuredto be positioned entirely within the vehicle cabin between the rampedposition and the non-ramped position; a first hinge configured topivotally connect a first end of the ramp/lift assembly and the floor,wherein the first end of the ramp/lift assembly pivots about an axisextending substantially along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle cabin;a second hinge configured to pivotally connect a second end of theramp/lift assembly and the ramp extension, wherein the ramp extensionpivots about an axis that is substantially parallel but offset from theaxis about which the first end of the ramp/lift assembly pivots; alinkage assembly configured to move the ramp extension between thestowed position and the extended position responsive to pivoting of theramp/lift assembly between the ramped position and the non-rampedposition; and a lift actuator configured to pivot the ramp/lift assemblybetween the ramped position and the non-ramped position.
 13. The systemas recited in claim 12, wherein the ramped surface is dimensioned tosupport an entire wheelchair.
 14. The system as recited in claim 12,wherein the width of the ramp surface is approximately 70% of the widthof the vehicle cabin.
 15. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein theramp extension extends approximately transversely with respect to thevehicle cabin in the stowed position.
 16. A combined wheelchair ramp andlift system for use with a sport utility vehicle (“SUV”) or a minivan,the system comprising: a ramp extension movable between a stowedposition in which the ramp extension is positioned within a vehiclecabin of a sport utility vehicle (“SUV”) or a minivan and an extendedposition in which the ramp extension extends out of an opening in thevehicle cabin; a ramp/lift assembly adjacent the ramp extension, whereinthe ramp/lift assembly includes a ramp surface pivotal between a rampedposition in which the ramp surface defines an inclined plane between afloor of the vehicle cabin and the ramp extension and a non-rampedposition in which the ramp surface is substantially flush with thefloor; a hinged arrangement configured to provide pivotal movement ofthe ramp/lift assembly and the ramp extension with respect to the floor,wherein the hinged arrangement includes at least two spaced apart axesabout which the ramp/lift assembly and the ramp extension pivot that areparallel with each other and extend substantially along a longitudinalaxis of the vehicle cabin; and a lift actuator configured to pivot theramp/lift assembly between the ramped position and the non-rampedposition, wherein the lift actuator has a lifting capacity configured tomove the ramp surface to the non-ramped position under a weight of awheelchair and wheelchair user.
 17. The system as recited in claim 16,wherein the ramped surface is dimensioned to support an entirewheelchair.
 18. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the width ofthe ramp surface is approximately 70% of the width of the vehicle cabin.19. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the ramp extensionextends approximately transversely with respect to the vehicle cabin inthe stowed position.
 20. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein thelifting capacity of the lift actuator is in excess of 750 pounds.